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By Jacob Lovell Staff Writer jlovell1@my.westga.edu
In 1997, Interplay Studios released the smash hit video game, "Fallout." An RPG made for PC, the game was set in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic environment. The storyline explores a world where the fears of the 1950s nuclear scare are realized and international atomic war decimates the whole Earth into a barren, Mad Max-like wasteland, filled with mutants and ghoulish radioactive zombies.
While technology advances sporadically for the next 200 years, the society seems perpetually stuck in the middle of the 20th century. This became the hallmark of the
"Fallout" series, and players the world over loved the contradiction of laser guns that use vacuum tubes and rusty, nuclear-powered cars with whitewall tires and tailfins. A year later, the sequel "Fallout 2" became an even bigger hit than its predecessor, relying on the same formula and without a significant change in game mechanics or style.
In the ten years since the release of "Fallout 2," fans of the series have generally been disappointed by a couple of sequels that insisted on changing the formula and styling of the originals. These spinoffs saw little commercial success, and the company that produced the series eventually sold it to Bethesda Softworks, creators of the huge hit, "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion." Once in possession of the rights to "Fallout," Bethesda quickly went into production and, on October 28, released "Fallout 3."
Initial videos and demos of the game made it clear that "Fallout 3" was an entirely new game. The original isometric, 2D game environment was replaced with the fully realized Gamebryo engine, the same used in "Oblivion." The setting moved from the west coast to the east, amongst the ruins of Washington, DC, in the 23rd century. Entirely round-based combat, familiar to traditional RPG players, was replaced with a hybrid system that fused elements of first-person shooters into an RPG universe, similar to the games "Deus Ex" or "Bioshock," with the additional option of switching to round-based combat under certain conditions.
Fans of the series became worried as initial glimpses of the game seemed to differ drastically from the first two. At release, however, this fan was more than pleased with the result.
After attending a midnight launch for the game at Gamestop here in Carrollton, I could barely tear away from my computer. Playing it straight through, I can say that the game fully deserves its title, being a qualified successor to the original greats.
The graphics provide an immersive environment, and the open-ended gameplay with multiple endings allows for a player to choose his or her own path. Just like the originals, the game allows you to be successful with whatever playing style you prefer. Want to be a mean, dumb brute that beats up or shoots everything he dislikes? That's fine. Want to be a sneaky thief that steals what she wants? That's cool, too. Perhaps a charismatic diplomat that stands up for the little guy and recruits others to join him? All in a day's play in the "Fallout" universe.
If you're a fan of "Oblivion," "Fable," or "Bioshock," this game won't disappoint. Except for the existence of a few unkillable NPCs and the inability to play your character once you've beaten the game (just reload your last save if you want to keep exploring), I really can't find anything to complain about. Overall, I give it a 10 out of 5 or something.
"Fallout 3" is available for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC platforms.
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